Research Agricultural Engineer

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Additional Requirements In addition to meeting the basic requirements described in the education section of the announcement, applicants must also meet additional qualification requirements as stated below. GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or possess an equivalent combination of graduate level education and experience. Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 level of this position are: Conducting research related to agricultural engineering in grains, cotton, peanuts, or other food products; utilizing analytical and statistical techniques; and publishing research results in peer reviewed journals related to agricultural engineering. GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 level of this position are: Planning and conducting research related to agricultural engineering in grains, cotton, peanuts, or other food products; utilizing and identifying new concepts and technologies to solve the engineering problems of post-harvest processing; publishing original research as first author in peer-reviewed scientific journals related to agricultural engineering in food products; presenting research findings at professional meetings of regional or national stature; and establishing and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. GS-14: Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level of this position are: Leading independent complex research related to agricultural engineering in grains, cotton, peanuts or other food products; developing an integrated decision support system for post-harvest processes; conducting investigations in grain, peanuts curing, storage, and systems integration; publishing independent research findings as either first or senior corresponding author in peer-reviewed journals related to agricultural engineering in food products; presenting research findings at professional meetings of international stature; and delivering solutions to internal and external stakeholders. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To further support your qualifications, it is strongly recommended that you submit a one-page abstract of your MS thesis and/or Ph.D. dissertation. Failure to do so could result in loss of your consideration/referral. Also, please submit a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, recognition; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitation); and publications. Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position is in the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Area, National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, GA. In this position, you will develop knowledge and technology related to production, handling, curing, storage, and processing peanuts that benefits the US peanut industry and provides value-added technology to improve peanut quality and efficiency throughout the production and processing system.